Officials defend response to fatal shooting of Milton teen

By Angel K. Brooks

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Milton officials told Channel 2 Action News that emergency crews did all they could to save a 16-year-old allegedly shot to death by his stepfather during an argument Sunday afternoon.

Channel 2 Action News Alexander Koser was a junior at Alpharetta High School.

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John Spink, jspink@ajc.com Police said a 16-year old died Sunday afternoon at this townhouse on Genesis Way in Milton after he was shot several times by his stepfather with a 12-gauge shotgun.

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Eric Brandon called police to report shooting Alexander Koser with a 12-gauge shotgun at the family's townhouse in the 3100 block of Genesis Way, police said.

Koser showed no signs of a pulse when firefighters arrived, Fire Chief Robert Edgar told Channel 2. He said the firefighters, who are cross-trained as paramedics, worked on the teen.

It was likely a police officer who told dispatchers not to send an ambulance because Koser appeared to be dead, Police Chief Deborah Harrell told Channel 2. An ambulance was called again after a cardio monitor picked up some activity, she said.

Both officials said they do not think the decision affected the outcome, the report said.

"I do not believe an officer did anything wrong," Harrell said. "The entire time, the victim is being attended to without delay."

Koser, a junior at Alpharetta High School, died at the scene. He was shot at close range, police said.

Brandon, 46, is charged with two counts of felony murder and with possession of a weapon while committing a felony. He is in Fulton County Jail. A bond hearing is scheduled for Feb. 27.

--Staff writer Marcus K. Garner and photographer John Spink contributed to this report.